Current Affairs - August 17, 2025 Current Affairs

ISRO, in partnership with the Muskaan Foundation, inaugurated a space laboratory in Mechuka, Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh, on August 16, 2025. The facility, named the Pasang Wangchuk Sona ISRO Space Laboratory, was launched to provide rural students with hands-on exposure to space science and STEM learning. Situated in a remote area near the India-China border, this initiative reflects ISRO’s commitment to making advanced education accessible even in geographically challenging regions. By fostering curiosity and innovation among youth, the laboratory aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and strengthen India’s future space research and technology capabilities.

As of August 8, 2025, India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by $4.74 billion to reach $693.62 billion. This increase was driven by gains in foreign currency assets, gold reserves, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Foreign currency assets alone rose by $2.37 billion, while gold reserves added $2.16 billion. The rise highlights India’s strong external sector fundamentals, with the reserves positioned close to their all-time high of $704.885 billion recorded in September 2024. Such robust reserve levels enhance India’s ability to cushion external shocks, stabilise the rupee, and maintain financial resilience.

Goa's traditional bullfighting sport Dhirio, where two bulls lock horns in combat, was banned by the Bombay High Court in 1996 following a fatal incident and animal cruelty concerns. Rooted in Portuguese colonial heritage, this harvest-season event was once central to Goan village culture. Unlike Spanish bullfights, Dhirio pits bulls against each other without human combatants. While some MLAs advocate for its legalization (citing cultural preservation and tourism potential), the ban remains under India's animal welfare laws, mirroring debates around Tamil Nadu's Jallikattu. The sport continues to influence Goan diaspora betting cultures despite the prohibition.

Real Madrid was ranked as the world’s most valuable football club in the Brand Finance Football 50–2025 report, with a brand value of €1.921 billion and an impressive brand strength score of 94.9. This marked the fourth consecutive year that the Spanish giants retained their top position, reflecting their dominance both on and off the field. The club’s success was driven by its record 15th UEFA Champions League title, massive global fanbase, merchandising strength, and strategic sponsorships. Real Madrid’s consistent brand growth highlights its unmatched influence in global football and its ability to maintain commercial and sporting excellence simultaneously.

The much-anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump was held at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage, Alaska. While the meeting lasted three hours, it ended without a peace deal on the Ukraine conflict. Both leaders, however, described the dialogue as constructive and expressed optimism for continued engagement. The choice of Alaska carried symbolic significance, being geographically positioned between the U.S. and Russia, underscoring its role as a neutral yet strategic venue. Although no concrete agreement emerged, the summit marked an important diplomatic interaction with potential implications for future negotiations.

The Taita Hills region is located in southern Kenya, near Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, where human-elephant conflicts have been significant due to elephants raiding crops in unfenced farmlands. Local farmers have adopted innovative solutions like beehive fences and crop diversification to sesame, supported by organizations like Save the Elephants. Kenya records 30-35 annual human deaths from such conflicts, making these conservation efforts crucial for both wildlife protection and human livelihoods in this East African nation known for its rich biodiversity and wildlife tourism.

The Sudarshan Chakra Mission envisions India developing a fully indigenous multi-layered air defence system by 2035. This shield aims to protect both strategic military assets and civilian infrastructure from aerial threats, including drones, missiles, and fighter jets. The system will integrate radar networks, AI-driven sensors, missile interceptors, and directed energy weapons, ensuring nationwide coverage. The initiative underscores India’s focus on self-reliance in defence technology, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, enhancing deterrence against regional adversaries, and safeguarding civilian and critical infrastructure across the country.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has partnered with IIT Guwahati to pioneer biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics. As part of this initiative, eco-friendly compostable bed-roll bags have been introduced on trains, replacing traditional plastic bags used for distributing linen. The material, developed at IIT Guwahati’s R&D facility, is fully biodegradable, compostable, and designed to meet operational standards while ensuring environmental safety. This collaboration demonstrates how academic research can provide practical solutions to environmental challenges, particularly in sensitive ecosystems like the Northeast. By reducing plastic waste, this initiative supports India’s mission to phase out single-use plastics and promote sustainable practices.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, and Coastal Shipping Bill were passed in 2025 to replace outdated colonial-era laws and modernise India’s maritime legal framework. These bills align national legislation with international conventions, improve sea safety, environmental protection, and seafarer welfare, and boost India’s maritime trade efficiency. The reforms also aim to increase coastal cargo handling, enhance infrastructure planning, and strengthen maritime security, promoting India’s economic and trade ambitions while supporting a future-ready shipping ecosystem integrated with global standards.

The United States has directed NASA to prepare for the early termination of OCO-2 and OCO-3, satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide and crop health. These satellites provide critical data on CO2 sources and sinks, seasonal and regional variations, and plant growth worldwide. By operating in polar and ISS orbits, OCO-2 and OCO-3 help track the impact of forests and other carbon sinks on climate systems, providing information essential for climate policy and mitigation strategies. The decision reflects the US’s role in leading Earth observation and climate research initiatives.